Hi friends,
When I finalized the wedding of my daughter in 1997, I wanted to give some useful information along with the invitation. I selected an incident from Maha Bharatha that teaches something important to our life. I give below the English translation. We learn from such sources that lead to knowledge, success, happiness, and peace of mind.
When the Pandavas were in exile, one day while returning after a hunt, they were tired and rested under a tree. The eldest brother, Yudishtra, was thirsty and asked his last brother, Sahadeva, to get him some water. Sahadeva went in search of water and in the distance he noticed some birds, indicating the availability of water. He saw a pond and decided to drink some water before taking it for his brothers.
When he was about to drink, a voice [YATCHAN] told him that the pond belonged to him and before drinking the water he should answer his questions, otherwise, he would die. Due to extreme thirst, he ignored the voice, drank the water, and died on the bank. Since Sahadeva did not return, Yudishtra sent his next brother Nakula.
For Nakula also, the same thing happened. Then Bheema went and met with the same end. Then Arjuna came and in anger sent an arrow in the direction of the voice, drank the water, and died. Surprised that none of his brothers returned, Yudishtra was worried and came to the pond. He was shocked and surprised to see all his brothers had died. He thought what would have happened.
At that time, the YATCHAN told him how his brothers ignored his warning and died. He said, the pond belonged to him and before taking water they should answer his questions. If you also ignore me, you would also meet with the same end. Yudhishtra thought for a while, found reason in his demand, and asked him to put the questions. The questions and answers are as under:
What makes the sunrise daily?
Brahman
What makes a man know that he is safe?
Courage.
How a man becomes intelligent?
By listening to the elders.
Which is heavier than the earth?
A mother who carries humanity
Which is farther than space?
Father.
Which is speedier than the wind?
Mind.
Which is more worthless than the grass?
Worry.
Who is the friend during yatra?
Knowledge.
Who is a friend at home?
Wife.
Who is the friend of a dying old man?
"Dhaanam" what he has given, which alone will go with him.
Which is the biggest vessel?
Earth.
What is pleasure?
Good conduct.
What one has to leave to win others?
Pride.
What one can lose without any worry?
Anger
What one can lose to become rich?
Greed.
Is Brahmin by birth or character?
Birth and education are not requisites. A person without character is not a brahmin.
-- Even after a good education, a person without character is not a brahmin.
--Good character alone makes one a brahmin.
What is the wonder of this world?
After seeing people die every day, one believes that he is going to live permanently.
---This is the wonder of the world.
Then Yudishtra answered all other questions. The YATCHAN, happy with his answers, permitted Yudishtra to drink water. He then offered to give life to one of his four brothers and asked whom did he prefer? Without any hesitation, he said that he would prefer to get back Nakula. The YATCHAN asked him, "You are fond of Bheema and without Arjuna, you cannot win the war, then why do you prefer Nakula?"
Yudistra's reply was noteworthy. One must see the condition he was in. He was tired and thirsty. He had lost all his brothers and was grieving. The YATCHAN did not come in person. In such a situation, how a person would react? Yudistra's reasoning was wonderful. He said, NATURE PROTECTS A PERSON FOR HIS RIGHTEOUS LIVING AND NOT BHEEMA AND ARJUNA. THE SAME NATURE KILLS A PERSON IF HE FAILS TO FOLLOW THE RIGHT PATH.
He then explained that his father had two wives. One was Kunthi and the other was Maathri. For Kunthi, he was the eldest and for Maathri, Nakula was the eldest to perform last rights. Even in adversity, he had a vision, balanced mind, and fair thinking. It should be the nature of a person. The YATCHAN appeared in person and gave life to all his brothers and blessed them.
When I finalized the wedding of my daughter in 1997, I wanted to give some useful information along with the invitation. I selected an incident from Maha Bharatha that teaches something important to our life. I give below the English translation. We learn from such sources that lead to knowledge, success, happiness, and peace of mind.
When the Pandavas were in exile, one day while returning after a hunt, they were tired and rested under a tree. The eldest brother, Yudishtra, was thirsty and asked his last brother, Sahadeva, to get him some water. Sahadeva went in search of water and in the distance he noticed some birds, indicating the availability of water. He saw a pond and decided to drink some water before taking it for his brothers.
When he was about to drink, a voice [YATCHAN] told him that the pond belonged to him and before drinking the water he should answer his questions, otherwise, he would die. Due to extreme thirst, he ignored the voice, drank the water, and died on the bank. Since Sahadeva did not return, Yudishtra sent his next brother Nakula.
For Nakula also, the same thing happened. Then Bheema went and met with the same end. Then Arjuna came and in anger sent an arrow in the direction of the voice, drank the water, and died. Surprised that none of his brothers returned, Yudishtra was worried and came to the pond. He was shocked and surprised to see all his brothers had died. He thought what would have happened.
At that time, the YATCHAN told him how his brothers ignored his warning and died. He said, the pond belonged to him and before taking water they should answer his questions. If you also ignore me, you would also meet with the same end. Yudhishtra thought for a while, found reason in his demand, and asked him to put the questions. The questions and answers are as under:
What makes the sunrise daily?
Brahman
What makes a man know that he is safe?
Courage.
How a man becomes intelligent?
By listening to the elders.
Which is heavier than the earth?
A mother who carries humanity
Which is farther than space?
Father.
Which is speedier than the wind?
Mind.
Which is more worthless than the grass?
Worry.
Who is the friend during yatra?
Knowledge.
Who is a friend at home?
Wife.
Who is the friend of a dying old man?
"Dhaanam" what he has given, which alone will go with him.
Which is the biggest vessel?
Earth.
What is pleasure?
Good conduct.
What one has to leave to win others?
Pride.
What one can lose without any worry?
Anger
What one can lose to become rich?
Greed.
Is Brahmin by birth or character?
Birth and education are not requisites. A person without character is not a brahmin.
-- Even after a good education, a person without character is not a brahmin.
--Good character alone makes one a brahmin.
What is the wonder of this world?
After seeing people die every day, one believes that he is going to live permanently.
---This is the wonder of the world.
Then Yudishtra answered all other questions. The YATCHAN, happy with his answers, permitted Yudishtra to drink water. He then offered to give life to one of his four brothers and asked whom did he prefer? Without any hesitation, he said that he would prefer to get back Nakula. The YATCHAN asked him, "You are fond of Bheema and without Arjuna, you cannot win the war, then why do you prefer Nakula?"
Yudistra's reply was noteworthy. One must see the condition he was in. He was tired and thirsty. He had lost all his brothers and was grieving. The YATCHAN did not come in person. In such a situation, how a person would react? Yudistra's reasoning was wonderful. He said, NATURE PROTECTS A PERSON FOR HIS RIGHTEOUS LIVING AND NOT BHEEMA AND ARJUNA. THE SAME NATURE KILLS A PERSON IF HE FAILS TO FOLLOW THE RIGHT PATH.
He then explained that his father had two wives. One was Kunthi and the other was Maathri. For Kunthi, he was the eldest and for Maathri, Nakula was the eldest to perform last rights. Even in adversity, he had a vision, balanced mind, and fair thinking. It should be the nature of a person. The YATCHAN appeared in person and gave life to all his brothers and blessed them.
